Lens Array Waveguide Solar Concentrator for Passive Light Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar energy systems employing photovoltaic (PV) cells and solar concentration devices face inefficiencies, including high costs, complex manufacturing, and the need for precise alignment to capture sunlight effectively, especially with fluorescent solar concentrators and imaging/mirror-based systems.
Innovation Solution
A solar energy system utilizing a lens array and a slab waveguide with prism or mirrored facets that achieve total internal reflection, allowing for efficient light concentration onto PV cells, even from varying angles of incidence, and enabling the use of lower-efficiency PV cells over larger areas to reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fluorescent solar concentrators are used to concentrate light, then device complexity is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to re-absorption and re-emission losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fluorescent mechanism (optical/chemical process) with a purely optical reflection mechanism using prism facets. Instead of absorbing and re-emitting light through molecular transitions, the system uses total internal reflection at prism facets to redirect light, eliminating energy loss associated with fluorescent conversion while maintaining device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces prism facets as an intermediary optical element between the light path and the PV cell. These facets act as passive optical guides that redirect light through total internal reflection without converting it to other forms of energy, thereby maintaining energy efficiency while simplifying the overall device structure compared to active tracking systems.
2Productivity
If imaging lens or mirror-based concentrators are used to achieve high concentration factors, then energy output is improved, but device complexity and alignment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the concentrator into a waveguide component with multiple prism facets distributed along its length. Each facet independently redirects light into the waveguide, allowing the system to achieve high concentration factors through distributed optical elements rather than requiring a single complex imaging lens or mirror system with precise alignment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar concentrators (lens/mirror arrays) to a three-dimensional waveguide structure with prism facets distributed along the propagation direction. This dimensional change allows light to be concentrated and guided through the bulk of the waveguide, achieving high concentration factors without the alignment sensitivity of planar systems.
3Device complexity
If passive solar concentrators are designed for small angle ranges, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to varying sunlight angles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical system dynamically adaptive to varying sunlight angles through the geometric design of the prism facets. As the sun's angle changes, different facets of the waveguide are illuminated, and the prism geometry automatically redirects the incoming light into the waveguide core, maintaining functionality across a wide range of angles without active tracking or complex mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide with prism facets serves multiple functions: it concentrates light from varying angles, guides light over distances, and adapts to different solar positions throughout the day. This single passive structure replaces the need for separate tracking mechanisms and concentrator adjustments, providing universal functionality across diverse operating conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances energy output while reducing manufacturing complexity and alignment requirements, achieving higher efficiency and cost-effectiveness by concentrating light onto smaller PV cells and allowing for flexible angle adjustments without active tracking.
Implementation Method 1
at least some of the light passing into the waveguide component is restricted from leaving the waveguide component upon being reflected by at least one of the prism or mirrored facets, whereby the at least some light restricted from leaving the waveguide component is directed by the waveguide toward the at least one photovoltaic cell
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of capturing solar energy, and related method of manufacturing, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a first lens array having a plurality of lenses, and a first waveguide component adjacent to the lens array, where the waveguide component receives light, and where the waveguide component includes an array of prism/mirrored facets arranged along at least one surface of the waveguide component. The system further includes at least one photovoltaic cell positioned so as to receive at least a portion of the light that is directed out of the waveguide. A least some of the light passing into the waveguide component is restricted from leaving the waveguide component upon being reflected by at least one of the prism/mirrored facets, hereby the at least some light restricted from leaving the waveguide component is directed by the waveguide toward the at least one photovoltaic cell.